The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-20
AHRARING TO BIZ GRANTED
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
TRANSC0NTINRNTAL ROADS
Tomorrow-Edward A. MOseley, Of
Boston, Appointed Secretary Of
the Interstate Commission.
THE DISASTROUS EFFECTS OF
THE NEW LAW
On Railroad EarniDgs-Judge May
( nard's Successor New York
tPOst' on Cleveland.

BLAI6 NOmntICb OOul u1lb5lOu has u6-
cided to hear representatives OF the
Trsnscontinental railroad on Thurs
day Of this week, upon their spplica-
ton for suspension Of the long and
short haul feature OF the interstate
commerce law. The Commission has
replied TO Lewis FuTz, president OF the
st. Louis Millers' Association, praying
relief against the discriminating rates
on -four from Minneapolis under the
"transit" system, which is alleged TO
preclude mills south or east of Min
neapolis from competing with that
point for domestic or foreign trade.
The Commission does not understand
the petition to complain of the rates
established under the interstate COM
merce law, but that it on the contrary
comedies that the new rates are rea-
Sol able as compared with those from
1T. Louis. The complaint is that there
is or hand a large accumulation OF
what Is known as "trsnsits" which
must control rates until they
are worked of, and that as conse.
quence the new rates are ineffective
excep. as applied 10 local points be-
tween Minneapolis and Chicago.
Thus, while the tariff is 80 cents per
barrel from Minneapolis to Chicago,
the actual rate is still 40 cents per bar
rel, and the milling interests and all
other sections OF the country are
paralyzsd by such a monster dis.
elimination. II Is clear, the letter
continues, that the Commission could
not grant relief by giving 10 st. Louis
exceptional advantages corresponding
to those which Minneapolis is said
now to enjoy. That would be dis.
elimination against other localities as
indefensible and much opposed to the
spirit Of the law as the transit system
itself. Neither could the Commission
compel the railroads upon which 81.
Louis depends to reduce their rates on
flour to the level OF what is said to be
the acual IA es from Minneapolis
when, as the petitioner comedies, q
higher rate is reasonable. II the
''transit" system Is pernicious it
would obviously be unwarrant-
able for the Commission to
order or sanction anything
that would extend or perpstuate the
mischief. at may be questionable,
perhaps" the Commission eays,
whether the 80 called trsnsits have
such validity in law that the Coz
panies issuing them are bound to
give transportation according to their
terms when the effect would be to
discriminate In favor OF one or more
localities against others. The question
Ia not brought before as in your petit
ton, and could only be raised Ia some
proceeding which would directly pre-
sent II, and in which parties interested
would have opportunity to be heard"
Edward A. hoseley, Of Boston, has
been elected secretary Of the Inter
state Commerce Commission. He 10 q
Democratic member OF the Massachu-
sets Legislature and one OF the Dom.
mittee on Railroads. He was strongly
Endorsed for one OF the commission.
ships. Mr. Mosely has been a mer-
chant OF high standing in Boston for
many years. He Ia resident OF New
buryport.
Temporary orders were made sus-
pending the fourth section OF the act on
the application Of the Norfolk South
ern Railroad Company aud the Gin.
CidDati, New Orleans and Texas rail-
road as to points south OF the Ohio
and east of the Mississippi, and also
on petition OF the Texas and Pacific
railroad as to freights destined to FL
Paso.
Some OF the stovemakers OF New
York prepared printed petition set
ting forth their grievances and sent ii
to their fellow manufacturers In all
parts OF the country. IL was accom-.
panied by q printed invitation to sign
and return, and by the statement that
'the petitions will be presented to the
Interstate Commerce Commissioners
all at one time In such manner as
will best serve our interests"
One OF the petitions and a copy of
the invitation his reached the Com
mission pTematurely. The petition
bears across its face the following:
MY DEAR SIRs-It gives us much
pleasure TO say, 80 far as the rates go,
taking equal distance into considera-
ton between Philadelphia and points
in New York to the West, they are
equitable, and win add, it ia the first
time In twenty years we have been
able to say this. For this much we
ieel grateful to the interstate COM
merce bill"
Thisindorsement bears the signature
OF a Philadelphia firm.
THE DISASTROUS RFFKcrs OF THE INTER.
STATE LAW.
The earnings of twenty.one roads
for the second week in April have
been reported. This 10 the first COM
plete week in which the railroads
have been operated under the inter-
state law, and in which the first I'M
favorable fleets OF the law were ex.
pected to be shown, and a comparison
OF the earnings with those OF the first
week in April, in which there we're
three days that did net come under
the law, show in many cases de-
oided falling off in the amount OF bus.
mess. There was an extraordinary
rush OF business in the early half OF
the week, caused by a desire of ship.
pers to clean up orders before the new
laafi took effect, but on account OF the
week being 30 evenly divided 1t Is gen
bIdlty COnsluciOu lhlI DAblb on WAlCn
to make comparisons. A table giving
the earnings OF the roads in de all for
the weeks referred to show the total
earnings for the second week amount
ed to $l,949,6ll, against $2,ll6, 20S
for the preceding week, decrease OF
Sl66,392.
PACIFIC RAILROADS COMMISSION.
The Commission appointed to in.
vest gate the accounts OF the railroads
which have received government aid.
called at the Interior Department this
afternoon and paid their respects TO
Secretary Lamar. Later in the day
the Comm ission met and elected Ell.
governor PAtiison chairman. Several
hours were speDtin discussing and ex
animation Of reports ard affairs Of the
Pacific railroads, No general plan of
operations was determined upon, but
t6e Commission agreed to meet to-
morrow morning and Immediately
beoin work. The sele etion of a score
tsry TO the Commission WIS cepsid
IL ,.aeorn fNr tho 4 HI nf